Construction of a Simple Vacuum-Pressure Cylinder

The conduct of ASTM D1101-59 “Standard Method for Test for Integrity of Glue Joints in Structural Laminated Wood Products for Exterior Service” requires that a suitable vacuum-pressure cylinder be available for such testing. A cylinder, 20 inches in diameter, 4 feet long, with a tight fitting door at one end is described in this technical note. Pressure is furnished with a vane-type pump at 150 psi. A 25-inch vacuum is drawn with an autoclave ejector, a relatively inexpensive unit operating on 100 psi water pressure. Heat for the water is supplied by steam in a coil, thermostatically controlled. All parts, labor, and material were approximately $900 when fabricated in 1961. A diagrammatic sketch of the unit is provided. Potlatch Forests, Inc., uses two of these units for quality control work on glued laminated timber products.

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